'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#6 Takefusa Kubo
Touted by many to be a generational talent from Japan, Takefusa Kubo is a Real Madrid winger who is currently plying his trade with La Liga club Villareal.
The 19-year-old, who honed his skills at Barcelona's world-famous La Masia academy, was swopped up by Madrid in 2019 before he was loaned out to Mallorca.
Despite his diminutive stature, the 5' 6" Kubo, who was often dubbed as the Japanese Messi during his time at Barcelona, made nine goal-contributions - four goals and five assists - in his first full season in the Spanish top-flight.
Now with Villarreal, the player scored on his Europa League debut against Sivasspor to become the youngest Japanese player to score in a European competition.
Mallorca assistant coach Deni Pendin spoke highly about Kubo's attributes when he said:
“Kubo is a much better player than when he arrived. We have worked a lot with him. It helps that he is very intelligent. He is a boy of 19 years, but has a head like 30. As a left-footed player, Kubo has a privilege, and he carries a gift that God gave him, that quality he has to play and to control. He also has a lot of speed, be it in short bursts or long sprints, and a very good strike.”
It may not be long before Kubo makes his mark at Villarreal and forces his way into Zinedine Zidane's first team at Real Madrid.
#5 Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka, an English player of Nigerian descent, is one of the brightest young players to have emerged from Arsenal's academy.
The left-winger, who is also versatile enough to be deployed in a bevy of positions in the middle third of the football field, became a regular under Mikel Arteta last season, making 39 appearances.
Saka recently made his international debut against Wales and has unsurprisingly earned lavish praise from Arteta:
"What I like about him is that he's very versatile, he's really intelligent and that he adapts and has a lot of courage to play the game. It doesn't matter which position he plays, he acts exactly the same way. He's so willing to learn and ask the right questions that he can set his own limits."
#4 Rodrygo
Rodrygo is undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects in world football at the moment.
The Brazilian teenager lit up the Champions League stage last season by scoring a hat-trick against Galatasaray, in the process becoming the second-youngest player in competition history to do so.
With more game-time this season, Rodrygo has already made his mark and proved that his debut-season exploits for Real Madrid were no flash in the pan. The Brazilian scored the winner against Inter Milan after Madrid looked set to go winless in their first three Champions League games of the season.
Unsurprisingly, Zinedine Zidane waxed lyrical about Rodrygo while outlining his plans to ease the youngster into the Real Madrid first team.
“He is only 18 years old. We are so pleased with him. He works hard and does a lot of things. We need to have patience and not pressure him. I am not surprised whatsoever; he is very talented. He is happy, his game is a real joy to watch. Rodrygo is a top-quality player, and he came here to do what he is doing. This is only the start. I really hope he can continue to do this well," said Zidane about Rodrygo.
